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Giuliani's Call of Duty: defeat Noriega in epic boss battle

Video games case gets a bit more starpower

Former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani has been brought in to defend video games maker Activision in its case against former despot Manuel Noriega.

The company said that Giuliani, now a practicing attorney, would lead the effort to dismiss a suit from Noriega for unauthorized use of likeness.

Noriega – imprisoned on murder, drugs and corruption charges – had filed the suit in July, alleging that his appearance in Call of Duty: Black Ops II was a "blatant misuse" of his likeness for economic gain.

Noriega was arrested by the US military in 1989 following a six-year rule as military dictator of Panama. Portions of the US invasion of the Central American nation, leading to Noriega's arrest, are featured in the game.

While Noriega's attorneys have argued that Activision profited from unauthorized use of his image and false depiction, Giuliani says that the portrayal falls under US free speech provisions.

"What's astonishing is that Manuel Noriega, a notorious dictator who is in prison for the heinous crimes he committed, is upset about being portrayed as a criminal and enemy of the state in the game Call of Duty. Quite simply, it's absurd," Giuliani said of the claim.

"I'm not interested in giving handouts to a convicted murderer and drug smuggler like Manuel Noriega who is demanding money from Activision and its popular Call of Duty franchise for simply exercising its right to free speech. Noriega's attack on the rights of Call of Duty comes as no surprise considering he's a lawless tyrant who trampled over the rights of his own people."

Giuliani's team has already filed a motion (PDF) with the state of California seeking to dismiss the claim.

Following an unsuccessful run for President in 2008, Giuliani has returned to legal practice with the Bracewell & Giuliani law firm. Prior to becoming Mayor of New York City, he worked as a US Federal Attorney overseeing the prosecution of prominent mafia figures. ®

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